Some of the common ones are: Brussels sprouts, onions, garlic, curry, and salmon. Crystals made of waste products and minerals can build up in your kidneys and form hard stones, which can cause strong-smelling urine. Two studies have shown that people who are unable to smell the odor in their own urine also dont detect it in the urine of known producers. People born with this condition cant break down certain amino acids. Yes. If you mess with the acidity, things dont work out very well. The lesson here is to just leave your vagina alone. In certain types of ultra-endurance sports and events, a keto diet could even be beneficial (22). By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Ultimately, if you are following the guidelines of a keto diet and staying consistent, you should be in some form of ketosis. If asparagus is on the menu, it may rear its ugly smell as early as a mid-meal bathroom break. That said, if youre losing weight, enjoying your keto diet, and feeling healthier, there is no need to worry about your ketone levels. But, it's important not to overdo it by washing excessively or using scented products like perfumes, powders, and deodorant sprays. Some babies are born with a condition called tyrosinemia type 1. Urine normally has a slight smell, but some unusual and strong smells may also be noticed. "Sweet-smelling urine typically indicates the presence of sugar or glucose," Dr. Ellerkmann says. Its usually from your diet and medications, or it means you need to drink more water. I have to think happy thoughts during squats," another woman posted on Reddit. Too much of this compound can give body fluids, like urine, a rotten odor. Urine This issue does go away over time though. If the odour persists or your urine becomes cloudy, seek a physicians care. You may need to take antibiotics to get better. Its entirely possible that you were just unlucky enough to develop an infection or other gynecological issue at the same time as you went keto, and that it has nothing to do with your diet, says Dr. Greves. Ketoacidosis is a dangerous complication of diabetes that happens when ketones build up in your blood. Other foods, including Brussels sprouts, onions, cabbage, and turnips can also make your pee smell funky because of a metabolic byproduct called methyl mercaptan, a gas with a putrid, sulfurous smell that emerges when your body breaks down these vegetables. With WW And Walking, How To Lose Weight Fast Safely And Naturally. In general, you can expect the keto flu to last anywhere from 24 hours to up to two weeks, as your body adjusts to being in ketosis. Here are 10 common signs and symptoms of ketosis, both positive and negative. 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC. Researchers are skeptical of this finding because women are known to detect odors more precisely and consistently than men. The harmless odor is caused by a breakdown of asparagusic acid. Maybe you can conduct your own survey at the next family meal that includes a platter of asparagus or soon after. pee smells Yes, volunteers sniffed samples of other peoples asparagus pee. We recommend our users to update the browser. Your body gets rid of nutrients you dont need through peeing. Asparagus is a big culprit for smelly urine; in fact, your pee can start smelling like asparagus just 20 minutes after you eat it. On one hand, it's helped tons of people lose weight. Check the nutrition label for carbs if youre using gum or other alternatives like sugar-free drinks. "Too much coffee will make your urine concentrated, and hence will impart a foul odor to your urine," internist Dr. Aditi Gupta, head of the doctor's panel at JustDoc, says. Watch out for these clear signs youre not eating enough vegetables. Some STIs can lead to a smelly discharge in males and females. Let your vagina clean itself. As excess sugar spills into your urine, it creates a sweet, sugary smell (and taste), explains Stephanie J. Kielb, MD, an associate Professor of Urology, Medical Education and Obstetrics and Gynecology (Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery (Urogynecology) at Northwestern Universitys Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago. Some people are hypersensitive (or hyposensitive) to androstenone, a component of sweat. Terms of Use. Urine smells like fish As Benjamin Franklin wrote in 1781, A few stems of asparagus eaten, shall give our urine a disagreable odour. This odor has become so well known that post-consumption urine is now often referred to as asparagus pee.. Fun! In fact, a study my colleagues and I conducted in 2017 found that only 40 percent of those surveyed reported detecting the odor in their urine. Other foods, including Brussels Some women on Reddit have reported the smell going away after a while, while others said it persisted. 1996-2021 MedicineNet, Inc. All rights reserved. Her areas of expertise include fibroids, irregular vaginal bleeding, abnormal pap smears, infertility and menopause. Our doctors define difficult medical language in easy-to-understand explanations of over 19,000 medical terms. According to Dr. Dutta, One of the hallmarks of a keto diet is a reduction in blood sugar levels and an increase in ketones. This is great for weight loss, but not so great for your body odor. The deficiency appears to be random, and up to 50 percent of people can sense the smell. This is one of the primary ketones present in the bloodstream. You can also use special indicator strips to measure the presence of ketones in your urine daily. Many creatures rely on their sense of smell to survive. Why does your pee smell after eating asparagus? Experts Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University. Once theres a bacteria in the hospital or in the nursing home, it hangs around, says Craig Comiter, MD, a urologist for Stanford Health Care in Palo Alto, CA. Foods. Asparagus is the perfect springtime vegetable. One small yet famous study found that athletes who had switched to a keto diet burned as much as 230% more fat when they exercised compared to athletes who werent following this diet (23). 2023 Readers Digest Magazines Ltd. - All rights reserved, Photo: Dutourdumonde Photography/Shutterstock, We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer). These include: Vitamins. Some people avoid eating cilantro because they claim it has a soapy aftertaste. What supplements should we really be taking? "One type of ketone, acetone, is an ingredient in some nail polish removers, which is why your breath may smell like this familiar scent," said Cynthia Sass, RD, Health contributing nutrition editor. Many long-term keto dieters claim that they sleep better than before after adapting to the diet (25). Here are the biggest culprits of why you're stinking up the toilet bowl. Odd smells along with feeling sick, pain, orbloody urine are a sign you should see your doctor. Studies report that 22 to 50 percent of the population have smelly urine following consumption of asparagus. Changes in diet can lead to potential changes in vaginal health, which could mean more rashes, says Dr. Shepherd. There are rare conditions that create a rotten smell, too. They can stop or slow urine flow, leading to a buildup of salt and ammonia. There are hills to die on, and this ain't one of 'em. So when you catch a whiff of a not-so-usual odor, it can really freak you out. There are many fast food options available that are low in carbs. But back in the 17th century, urologists would analyze urine samples for diabetes by using three of their senses: sight, smell and taste. They might want to make sure nothing else is causing the odor. Your pee may also have a strong smell after you drink coffee, or eat fish, onions, or garlic. This unpleasant smell is from the buildup of phenylalanine in the body, and if untreated, could lead to serious health complications such as intellectual disability, seizures, and brain damage. If you've been working out or sweating, change out of wet or damp clothing as soon as possible. Next, discover the bathroom mistakes you never knew you made. It can cause bad or fruity-smelling breath for people on a keto diet. When asparagus is digested, asparagusic acid gets broken down into sulfur containing byproducts. health & living health center/do all people's pee smell after eating asparagus article. Your genes affect whether you can smell these sulfur byproducts. "Of course, having diabetes increases the chances of spilling glucose into the urine if blood glucose levels are too high." The short-term side effects of a keto diet are better known. They may give you antibiotics, special soap, or suggest eating certain foods. More bacteria get released into your urine during a UTI, causing a distinguished rank odor that he describes as a "pungent rotten-egg smell, often fishy-like." As many weight loss studies have shown, youll likely experience both short- and long-term weight loss when switching to a keto diet (2, 6). There are 3 types of tyrosinemia, which cause problems breaking down theamino acid tyrosine. Research Scientist in Epidemiology, T.H. Thank you", This! Some stones are made from cystine, a substance with sulfur in it. Youll need another kind of medicine for viral infections. However, its been suggested that this hunger reduction may be due to alterations to your bodys hunger hormones, along with an increased intake of proteins (11, 12). Why Does Asparagus Make Your Pee Smell? - Healthline When followed correctly, this low carb, high fat diet will raise your blood levels of ketones. You might experience digestive issues, such as constipation or diarrhea, when you first switch to a keto diet. Some medicineslike antibiotics can make your urine stink. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. If youre holding on to it, you will get extra pungent urine.. "Nobody knows if this is a real effect of the keto diet," Lauren Streicher, MD, clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University, told Health. From vegan to keto, which diet has the highest carbon footprint. Asking yourself, Why does my pee smell? Although, many do not consider doing this just for the sake of smelly urine. Thats called hyperosmia. Now, people are talking about another unpleasant side effect of the keto diet: keto crotch. Once it gets there, it stays there. Asparagus That can lead to infections and discharge, which can smell bad when you pee. Washing inside of it could upset the balance of good and bad bacteria. As for hours my pee smells more like days. Helping people with diabetes, epilepsy, autoimmune disorders, acid reflux, inflammation, hormonal imbalances, and a number of other issues, every day. Ultimately, going on the keto diet is entirely your choice, and you should see how your mind and body feel after you start to help you gauge whether it's a way of eating that works for you. You may go to the bathroom a lot if you have a UTI. The enzymatic process breaks down distinct chemicals as your body digests meals. Some of these issues should subside after the transition period, but it may be important to be mindful of different foods that may be causing digestive issues. Find out the diseases you can prevent just by washing your hands. It's true that if your vaginal pH is thrown off, you're at a higher risk for developing bacterial vaginosis (an overgrowth of bacteria in the vagina), which can have a funky odor, said Dr. Streicher. As you might expect, this switch doesnt happen overnight. Some people say their pee smells like Cheerios, which might be a sweet smell that you should tell your doctor about. Its not dangerous at all. Whats the Ideal Ketosis Level for Weight Loss? Tyrosinemia. If you notice you have a weird odor going on down there right after you go keto, you may want to give it a few days to see if it goes away, says Dr. Greves. These side effects are natural. But if you notice a rash down there and its not going away, its time to call your doctor, as you could be experiencing a yeast infection, STD, or other skin condition. They can be a quick and cheap method to assess your ketone levels each day. Eliminating carbs can also help control and stabilize blood sugar levels. The 6 Biggest Keto Diet Mistakes Yet, science does show that going keto can change the odor of your breath and urine, making both smell like nail polish remover. Asparagus Pee Asparagus contains asparagusic acid, an odorless acid that breaks down into volatile sulfurous byproducts, Dr. Christopher Smith, associate professor of urology at Baylor College of Medicine, tells Yahoo Life. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Copyright 20102023, The Conversation Media Group Ltd, Committee Member - MNF Research Advisory Committee, PhD Scholarship - Uncle Isaac Brown Indigenous Scholarship. Pee Smell Thats why its always a good idea to remind kids to take bathroom breaks. The ketogenic, or keto, diet is a popular, effective way to lose weight and improve your health. When you pee, the sulfur byproducts evaporate almost immediately, causing you to It causes strong or sweet urine. Gail L. Nunlee-Bland, MD, chief of endocrinology and director, Diabetes Treatment Center, Howard University. Many people on keto and similar diets, like the Atkins diet, report that their breath takes on an unusual, fruity smell. Keto crotch sounds similar to the keto breath phenomenon. When these amino acids build up, their pee or earwax starts to smell sweet. Dr. Ellerkmann has described it as smelling like maple syrup, burned sugar, or malt. However, send an email with your understanding of the situation. Experts say the Mediterranean, DASH, and flexitarian diets have the best foundations and are among the easiest to follow. Health posed that question to an OB-GYN, who said keto crotch has never been scientifically investigated. You might also feel sick, have pain that comes and goes, and have bloody urine. A healthy vaginal pH is acidicbetween 3.8 and 4.5and foods like onions, garlic, red meat, dairy, asparagus, broccoli, alcohol, and fruit can all affect the natural balance youve got going on, Mary Rosser, MD, PhD, ob-gyn at Montefiore Medical Center in New York previously told Women's Health. It has a strong odor that smells like urine or sweat. And just because you dont smell it doesnt mean youre not making it. Or your genitals may itch, and it might burn when you pee. UPDATE: For everyone saying asparagus, I just checked my food diary and I last ate asparagus on October 13th. In this day and age, urologists run blood tests, not taste tests, to check for diabetes. Tbh, tons of totally harmless reasons could explain this. Coffee is also a diuretic, which doesn't help things. That's because your body breaks down fat for energy instead of carbs. 1996-2022 MedicineNet, Inc. All rights reserved. These chemicals just happen to be things that we react to. Try drinking more water to mute the smell of your urine. When your body is in ketosis (a.k.a., it breaks down fat for fuel instead of carbs), it produces ketones (chemicals like acetoacetate, beta-hydroxybutyrate, and acetoneyes, that last one is the same ingredient in nail polish remover). "Anecdotally, there have been a lot of reports over the years that diet can influence vaginal odor, but it's never been studied.". The symptoms resemble those of the actual flu, but with a different cause. You might get this kind of fistula if you have cancer or an inflammatory condition, like Crohns disease or diverticulitis. Your perception of diverse odors is absolutely distinct. Smart Grocery Shopping When You Have Diabetes, Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Dogs and Cats, Smoking Pot Every Day Linked to Heart Risks, Artificial Sweetener Linked to Heart Risks, FDA Authorizes First At-Home Test for COVID and Flu, New Book: Take Control of Your Heart Disease Risk, MINOCA: The Heart Attack You Didnt See Coming, Health News and Information, Delivered to Your Inbox. Medications. And some say another unpleasant side effect of the keto diet exists: "keto crotch," or a foul-smelling vagina. As you progress into a keto diet, youll start to burn fat and ketones as your main fuel sources. And then theres keto diarrhea, which is about as fun as it sounds. Sign up for Yahoo Lifes daily newsletter, Women who had ovarian cysts share their stories, A sugar replacement may be linked to heart attacks and strokes, but don't throw it out yet. It is a normal phenomenon and is not related to the overall health of the individual. It may smell like cabbage. It can take a few days or weeks for this to start working properly. Keto diets, along with other low carb diets, are highly effective for It then disposes of the ketones through both exhalation and urination. Sometimes 2 days. What is the role of sex in smelling asparagus pee? Of course, its entirely possible that other things you do around the time you start the keto diet could lead to a rash in the groin area, like working out more and hanging out in your sweaty gym clothes for too long. I now dread coming in. MedicineNet does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. I'm diabetic and thinking about starting keto again but I smelled sooooo bad. When this happens, your liver starts producing high numbers of ketones to supply energy for your brain. Either way, you need to get it looked at. Tyrosinemia is treated with medicine and a low-tyrosine diet. Wearing breathable fabrics can also help prevent unwanted moisture and scents from building up. Some people have a mutation in one of these genes, which alters the receptor's capacity to respond to the chemical that causes pee to smell funny. People should strive to have urine thats a light yellow colour, says William Brant, MD, a urologist at the University of Utah Health Care in Salt Lake City, UT. When these build up in your blood, a compound called abranched-chain alpha-keto acid shows up in your urine and makes it, along with your earwax, smell like maple syrup. Some antibiotics are made from mold and can make your urine smell yeasty. OtherUTI symptoms include: Liver disease. Most everyone knows about asparagus pee, but there are some other foods and medications that can also change the odor of the urine. You know eating asparagus makes your pee smell weird. If the stinky scent bothers you, tell your doctor about it. If you need to go, let it flow. But it doesnt represent a risky infection because its just bacteria that flourishes in the urine and then disappears. If you experience other symptoms like a burning sensation while peeing or a fever, see a doctor. The digestion of asparagus produces methanethiol and S-methyl thioesters, chemical compounds containing stinky sulfur, also known as brimstone. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. These infections are commonly found in hospital or nursing home patients because the bacteria that causes it (and also gives your pee a metallic scent) thrives in those environments. How dehydrated you are can not only change its color, but also create a much more pungent smell, as can dietary choices and medical conditions. Initially, you may suffer from tiredness and low energy. It's actually an inflammatory disease called prurigo pigmentosa thats often characterized by red, itchy bumps on the neck, back, and stomachand the keto diet can potentially trigger it. However, it can often be hard to know whether youre in ketosis or not. Does Tiger urine smell like popcorn? Sulfa drugs can give your pee a bit of stench. MedicineNet does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC. After several weeks, many keto dieters report that their performance returns to normal. They have even been tested in a medical setting to treat brain diseases and conditions such as concussion and memory loss (16, 17, 18, 19). Here are 12 fast foods you can eat on a low carb diet. Thats because bacteria can build up in your urine and make it stink. Whats more, test kits can be expensive. More research still needs to be done on metabolism and genetics to determine exact causes of these differences. So keto rash is a real thing. Here are the vitamins and supplements doctors take every day. The keto flu, or carb flu, is used to describe symptoms often experienced by those beginning a keto diet. Why Does My Pee Smell? Asparagus, UTIs & More Things It But some foods -- especially asparagus, which has a smelly sulfur compound -- can change the odor. Things That Can Affect the Smell of Your Pee - WebMD Heres how much water you really need to drink to stay hydrated. All rights reserved. Onewarning sign of diabetes or high blood sugar is urine that smells sweet or fruity. This may be water weight, but fat loss may soon follow. If you follow keto and start noticing that your vagina smells bad, consider checking in with your OB-GYN. Maybe I'm just a freak of nature!". The ketone acetone is partly expelled via your breath. Surgery can fix fistulas. They can also make infections more likely. Your urine can get super concentrated and take on a pungent urine smell similar to ammonia if you dont drink the recommended seven to eight glasses of water a day. Theres no need to erase your vaginas natural odor. If the Everyone has their own individual scent sense of the environment. Urine Trouble If You Eat Asparagus | IU Health This article, Breakfast cereals boast impressive health claims, but many are high in sugar and refined carbs.